Penguins Continue to Trust in Rust by @MedinaMarie_PI

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced that they have locked up winger Bryan Rust. The team extended their qualifying offer Monday June 25, 2018. The contract runs through the 2021-22 season and carries an annual value of $3.5 million per year.

There was some recent speculation on whether Rust would remain with the team. Rumors swirled that he had been offered to the Arizona Coyotes as a trade option in exchange for Max Domi. The deal would never come to pass as Domi later signed with the Canadians.

Rust becomes the latest in team signings. Daniel Sprong and Dominik Simon both recently signed two-year (one way) deals valuing $750,000. Defenseman Kevin Czuczman also signed a one year, two-way deal worth $650,000.

The Penguins also have a qualifying offer on the table for defensemen Jamie Oleksiak who joined the team late last season in a trade with Dallas.

What is more notable is who the Penguins do not have an offer in for. Per Jason Mackey of the Tribune Review, as well as Josh Yohe of The Athletic, the Penguins did not extend offers to center Riley Sheahan as well as left-winger Tom Kuhnhackl. It is believed that the Penguins will still try and sign Sheahan if possible, but not Kuhnhackl.

*UPDATE*
We have now learned, via Jason Mackey, that a two year deal was extended to Kuhnhackl and was rejected. Two other minor league players, defensemen Frank Corrado and Vince Dunn, were not offered qualifying offers as well.

This opens up a new scenario as continued rumors suggest that the Penguins may be interested in bring back veteran left winger Chris Kunitz who is now available from Tampa Bay. The Penguins are also rumored to have interest in Jeff Skinner of the Caroline Hurricanes, Jack Johnson (D) of the Columbus Blue Jackets, as well as other notable names.

More will come as we inch closer to the opening of free agency July 1.